Toilet paper holder and dispenser system

ABSTRACT

The invention consists of a tower like container of height enough to hold 4 (but not limited to 4) rolls of toilet paper, stacked vertically, as they would appear on a toilet paper, and a headpiece above the tower that holds and dispenses a roll. The head piece (dispenser) consists of two arms that extend forward in a classic toilet paper holder manner; but instead of a long cylinder pressed between them with the help of a spring inside, there is a slot in the top of each arm where a short cylindrical piece sits to hold the roll like two fingers inserted into the ends of a tube, and is attached to a flexible strip of plastic or other material that would allow it to stay in place, yet flex upward and outward, when pressure is applied to it from below.

PRIOR APPLICATION

This application emanates from a previously filed provisional application; 61/311,757 filed on Mar. 8, 2010

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toilet paper dispensers and more particularly pertains to multiple-roll toilet paper dispenser racks which may be used for storing a plurality of rolls of toilet paper within the unused space of a bathroom and dispensing the rolls one at a time through an opening in the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

My invention replaces the standard toilet paper dispenser, and separate toilet paper roll holder. My invention is superior in that it allows the user to remove and replace a roll of toilet paper quickly and easily using only one hand, lifting the toilet paper from below into the dispenser head in one motion. The dispenser head mechanism has no parts to try and squeeze your finger into to remove the roll, and no parts that come off in your hands while changing the roll. The holder bin that the dispenser head is attached to, holds the rolls in the same orientation as they would sit on the dispenser, allowing the user to simply lift it straight up into the dispenser, without having to reorient the roll first. The holder bin is attached to the dispenser, so that unlike separate roll holder bins, it is within easy reach when a new roll needs to be placed on the dispenser. My invention does not have to be mounted on a wall, like traditional roll dispensers; it can be mounted on a wall or simply stand on it's own, allowing it to be moved and repositioned anywhere in a room that is convenient. Having a holder bin with the dispenser allows fewer trips to another storage location to get a new roll. My invention also improves the process of replacing additional rolls that are stored in the holder bin. My invention can have the rolls loaded into the holder one at a time, or with an opening in the bottom on the unit, it allows the unit to accept a stack of rolls that are packaged in a cartridge, for faster filling of multiple rolls at once.

The use of multiple-roll toilet paper dispenser racks is known in the prior art. More specifically, multiple-roll toilet paper dispenser racks heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of storing a plurality of rolls of toilet paper are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

The present invention is directed to improving devices for storing a plurality of rolls of toilet paper in a manner, which is safe, secure, economical and aesthetically pleasing.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,802 to Economakis discloses a multiple roll toilet tissue dispenser for storing a plurality of rolls of toilet tissue in vertically disposed compartments, and dispensing tissue from either of the rolls as desired; the toilet tissue dispenser provides convenient, multiple rolls of toilet tissue. A dispenser in accordance with the invention can be used in existing toilet tissue dispensing wells commonly found in the home and installed without need for any additional fixtures of tools. The invention disclosed above, when used as described, substantially projects from the bathroom wall near the toilet, an area having little free space in many normal size bathrooms, which could interfere with comfortable placement of a user's knees or elbows.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,679 to Paul et al. describes a roll-theft preventing roll holder and dispenser comprising a vertically disposed box for stacking a plurality of rolls one on top of the other therein, the device having a one-way filling aperture at the top, a one-way interior roll separating flange, and a narrow dispensing aperture at the bottom. The roll holder and dispenser described, because of its nature of construction, is difficult to clean and sanitize; also, the invention projects well beyond its mounting surface thereby being a potential hazard for snagging a user's clothing or jewelry.

The prior art also discloses a multiple tissue roll dispenser as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,474,977 to Mott et al. which consists of spaced fluted guides mounted in a tissue dispenser housing adjacent an opening for a tissue roll and longitudinally relative to the housing. The fluted guides and rotatable pivotal stop members guide and position tissue roll spindles having fluted heads in the housing to position a lowermost tissue roll in the opening for use when and to position storage tissue rolls thereabove for use when the lowermost tissue roll is depleted. Actuation of a spring loaded bar member releases the lowermost spindle and positions the next adjacent uppermost spindle and tissue roll in the opening for use thereof as desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,968 to Shpigeleman discloses a dispensing device for cylindrical bodies, such as rolls of toilet paper, paper towels and the like in which a plurality of rolls are stacked vertically in a magazine. A dispensing and holding mechanism comprises a cylindrical body mounted within the magazine body and below the stack. The body has a central axle and two radially extending arms biased toward one another by tension springs, the arms each have an oppositely directed stud adapted to enter the hollow core of a roll. The cylindrical body has opposed circular ends forming a number of cam paths, the roll supporting radial arms extending across and in contact with a respective one of the cam paths and being urged towards the opposite cam paths by the tension spring for imparting rotating movement to the cylindrical body about its central axis to deliver a roll from the vertical stack to a dispensing position.

As illustrated by the background art, efforts are continuously being made in an attempt to develop devices to store a plurality of rolls of toilet paper. No prior effort, however, provides the benefits attendant with the present invention. Additionally, the prior patents and commercial techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements arranged and configured as disclosed and claimed herein.

The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of method steps and component elements, with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention is about 28 inches tall, and is a rectangular box with an open front, and a back wall that extends up higher holding two short arms that stick out forward to surround the ends of a toilet paper roll for dispensing. The dispenser mechanism consists of two short cylinder prongs that sit in a recessed area of each arm to hold the toilet paper roll tube like two fingers stuck in the tube at it's ends. These cylinders are attached to flexible strips that are attached to the arms at the outside bottom part. The holder bin part is tall enough to store 4 toilet paper rolls stacked vertically, and oriented, as they would sit on the dispenser. It has an optional component that is a box or plastic is wrapped cartridge used to package toilet paper for sale in a vertical stack, formatted to allow it to easily slide into the holder bin.

I have invented a toilet paper dispenser mechanism and roll holder that allows the user to remove and replace a roll of toilet paper quickly and easily using only one hand, lifting the toilet paper from below into the dispenser head, in one easy motion. It eliminates the need for the traditional pin with spring in it mechanism, and combines a convenient storage bin right below the dispenser head that holds multiple extra rolls in a better orientation than current roll holders that are separate units. It has a separate cardboard box or plastic wrapped cartridge used to package toilet paper for sale, in a vertical stack, formatted to allow it to easily slide into the holder bin; similar to a clip of bullets that would load into a gun.

We believe that the description combined with the diagrams is sufficient for someone skilled in the art to be able to produce this invention.

The invention consists of a tower like container of height enough to hold 4 (but not limited to 4) rolls of toilet paper, stacked vertically, as they would appear on a toilet paper roll, and a headpiece above the tower that holds and dispenses a roll. The head piece (dispenser) consists of two arms that extend forward in a classic toilet paper holder manner; but instead of a long cylinder pressed between them with the help of a spring inside, there is a slot in the top of each arm where a short cylindrical piece sits to hold the roll like two fingers inserted into the ends of a tube, and is attached to a flexible strip of plastic or other material that would allow it to stay in place, yet flex upward and outward, when pressure is applied to it from below. The cylinder prongs can only be moved upward, so that they are locked in place when toilet paper is pulled in the normal downward and slightly forward direction. The prongs are flat on the bottom side, with rounded edges, and slope upward at an angle as you travel along the piece from the arm to the end of the prong. This allows the upward motion applied to it when something is pressed against it, to be transformed into an upward and outward motion, which flexes the strips, and moves the prongs out of the way of the roll that is being is pushed up. Because the strips are flexible and are pushing the prongs back against the roll, when the open tube end of the toilet paper roll reaches the prongs on it's way up, the prongs snap into the opening and back to their normal position, trapping the tube of the roll around it, and holding it resting on the top of the prongs. Toilet paper can then be pulled and the roll, rolls normally around the prongs. This system assures that the roll can be both placed on and removed by the same upward motion, requiring only one hand for the action.

The holder tower is a rectangular box that stands tall on the floor or mounted to the wall, with the front of the box having a vertical slot cut into it the width enough to fit a hand into, but not wide enough for a standard size toilet paper roll to fall out, when placed inside. The rolls are aligned as they would be on the head, allowing the user's hand to simply grab the top roll, and lift straight up into the headpiece with one hand, and the roll simply clicks into place. The holder tower allows toilet paper rolls to be inserted into it, either one at a time through the opening in the top of the holder, or as a prepackaged cartridge slipped through an opening in the bottom of the holder. The whole unit can also be placed downward around the cartridge from above, like a giant tissue cozy, the fits over a box of tissues. The unit can be made of any material that would meet the functionality and aesthetic requirements of its use and installation.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

The dispenser roll mechanism can exist as two separate pieces. The dispenser roll mechanism, and the roll holder bin that can attach or simple be mounted beneath the dispenser.

The dispenser roll mechanism can exist on it's own, with a hook or shelf piece that allows a cartridge style box package of toilet rolls to be attached and serve as the holder underneath the head piece, itself.

The roll tower storage area can be any height to hold any number of rolls.

The unit can have a door or doors on it's front to keep the stored rolls covered, until placed on the dispenser.

The flexible prong roll holding system and dispenser mechanism can be incorporated into an actual cardboard packaging box designed to hold the rolls as a retail packaging, allowing the box itself to become the packaging, storage and dispenser mechanism combined.

The arms and tower holder portion can be any width to hold and dispense other roll items such as paper towels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—Dispenser Head and holder bin tower

1. Dispenser head

2. Prong that holds the roll

3. Flexible element that allows prong to move up and out of the way when pushed from below.

4. Bin that holds the rolls.

FIG. 2.—Close-up of Dispenser head front view showing prong flexing.

1. Flexible element that allows prong to move up and out of the way when pushed from below.

2. Prong that holds the roll in its normal unflexed state.

3. Prong that holds the roll showing its flexed state.

Detailed Description of Drawings: 

1. A toilet paper holder and dispenser system combination with a multi roll toilet paper holder and dispenser in one unit, that can stand on its own, or mounted to a wall or other surface, providing the dispenser and roll storage to be conveniently located together.
 2. A toilet paper holder and dispenser system combination of claim 1 wherein; said holder allows a person to easily remove and replace rolls, using only one hand, in an upward lifting motion, with no pieces of the unit that come off in the hand.
 3. A toilet paper holder and dispenser system combination of claim 1 wherein said holder uses two short cylinder shaped prongs, attached to flexible strips, that both hold the roll securely, yet allow it to be placed on and removed easily without the traditional rolling pin type cylinder with a spring in it's core.
 4. A toilet paper holder and dispenser system combination of claim 1 wherein said holder allows the roll to be easily replaced and removed by using two flexible strips that hold the prongs in place until moved out of the way by the action of the user pushing the toilet paper roll up through them, but resist the motion of pulling downward, forward or backward.
 5. A toilet paper holder and dispenser system combination of claim 1 that allows rolls to be placed into it individually, or by use of a package cartridge that has several rolls pre-stacked and slid into the holder in a similar manner to a bullet clip being pushed into the handle of a handgun to load it through the bottom of the unit.
 6. A toilet paper holder and dispenser system combination of claim 1 wherein the rolls are stacked vertically on their side, in a rectangular box, or plastic wrapped in this orientation, to allow easy loading of multiple rolls into the holder unit, at one time.
 7. A toilet paper holder and dispenser system combination of claim 1 that can be either mounted to the wall in a traditional toilet paper dispenser way; or the unit can stand alone on a floor or other surface, allowing it to be placed and repositioned anywhere that is convenient in a room.
 8. A toilet paper holder and dispenser system combination of claim 1 wherein the dispenser and optional holder bin beneath it that can be clipped or attached at the bottom of the dispenser. 